tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post6611094240310958249..comments2023-12-26T18:33:04.681-08:00Comments on Writability: Characters: Static or Dynamic?Gabe (Ava Jae)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-67627745941083074702013-03-18T19:51:00.420-07:002013-03-18T19:51:00.420-07:00Good point about how distracting it'd be if ev...Good point about how distracting it'd be if every characters was dynamic--you're absolutely right that it doesn't happen that way in real life and it's highly unlikely for it to happen on the page. <br /><br /><br />As for your question, as a once-culprit of purple prose in my writing, it's something I generally avoid. That doesn't mean that I NEVER use adverbs (in fact, I <i>do</i> use them as needed), but I think there's a difference between purple prose and using the occasional adverb. I might post about this in the future. Or something like that. Hmm.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-73602031384001098622013-03-18T19:42:13.986-07:002013-03-18T19:42:13.986-07:00You do! Ok, good. Glad to hear my memory didn'...You do! Ok, good. Glad to hear my memory didn't betray me. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-70006594906086823402013-03-18T19:41:18.020-07:002013-03-18T19:41:18.020-07:00I do write YA, so it's relevant. No words wast...I do write YA, so it's relevant. No words wasted :)Robin Rednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-185204829370510712013-03-18T19:37:48.402-07:002013-03-18T19:37:48.402-07:00Thank you, Margaret! It's not uncommon for peo...Thank you, Margaret! It's not uncommon for people to associate static characters with one-dimensional characters--I imagine it has something to do with the associations we have with the word "static." But as you said, change is a choice, and it certainly isn't necessary for every character, interesting or not. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-86508490983576874982013-03-18T19:34:00.206-07:002013-03-18T19:34:00.206-07:00I think in YA especially it's more common for ...I think in YA especially it's more common for protagonists to change as many YA novels are coming-of-age and about growth. Actually I just realized that I don't think you write YA. Or maybe you do? I don't remember but I suspect this whole comment is totally irrelevant. Hmm.Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-44393234302658368792013-03-18T18:50:02.253-07:002013-03-18T18:50:02.253-07:00I really enjoyed this post because it's someth...I really enjoyed this post because it's something we authors should think about but don't always. It's also interesting that the stereotype of "static characters= a bad thing to avoid" is not true because there are a lot of great static characters, there is of course a balance. And it's also a bit distracting if EVERY character in a story is having major changes in their attitude or personality. This doesn't even happen in real life. Something to think about. :) Another misconception I was curious to hear your thoughts about is the technical detail of adverbs in writing. Some writers say that under no circumstances should you use adverbs, some say use them as you need. In my opinion the adverb is useful when the character of the adjective you are describing is not a usual or clear thing. Some of the definitions of "Purple Prose" is also a common problem I wonder about, a very common thing in fantasy novels. Some don't mind it, some loath it. Just my thoughts. :)Author Stevennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-65368243246008110262013-03-18T15:17:43.932-07:002013-03-18T15:17:43.932-07:00It's weird when you know something but you don...It's weird when you know something but you don't really define it. I suck at definitions so my view of what something is kind of floats in my mind. I did tend to align static characters more as one-dimensional, I guess because it feels like change is important for a story. But, you're right, it doesn't mean they're not deep. Some people change because they choose to change, and others don't no matter what happens to them because that's not their choice. Great post, Ava!Margaret Alexanderhttp://twitter.com/markedforpowernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-12789124858866684112013-03-18T11:10:01.106-07:002013-03-18T11:10:01.106-07:00An interesting exercise. I kind of set my protagon...An interesting exercise. I kind of set my protagonist from the beginning to change, to be fixated on one idea, only to have it stripped away so she can see the world.Robin Rednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-74460406140625095432013-03-18T10:29:29.984-07:002013-03-18T10:29:29.984-07:00Thanks, Sarah! It's not always easy to tell wh...Thanks, Sarah! It's not always easy to tell which of the two categories your characters fall into, but I think it can be an interesting aspect to look at. Thanks for sharing. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-89664645859008606752013-03-18T07:04:16.431-07:002013-03-18T07:04:16.431-07:00Very insightful post! I feel like I'll be anal...Very insightful post! I feel like I'll be analyzing all the characters in the books I read now. I think my protagonist is a static character, which is interesting because it's kind of a coming-of-age story. It may seem like he's going to change but in the end he's still the same person as when the story began.Sarah Anne Fosterhttp://twitter.com/Sarah_A_Fosternoreply@blogger.com